Ford FG Ute set to make debut at Bathurst

Gary Carson will debut the first Ford FG in Round 5 of the 2011 Auto One V8 Ute Racing Series – protected by Armor All, at Mount Panorama in October.

Carson will become the first driver to compete the new model, however he won’t be the first to drive the FG around Bathurst. The car was originally entered in the 2010 Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour with Sieders Racing, driven by Andrew Fisher, Ben Dunn and Jack Elsegood.

V8 Utes category manager Craig Denyer says that with a new engine in the road-going version of Ford’s ute has delayed the FG’s class introduction.

“This has not been an overnight decision (introducing the FG to the series),” said Denyer.

“It has been a long process, primarily delayed by the run out of the 260 and 290kw 5.4 litre engines, and the move to the new quad cam Coyote 5 litre as the base V8 engine for Ford.

“There was little point moving to the FG earlier, given that we knew there was a more suitable engine on the way, and initial dyno testing of the engine has re-affirmed our decision was the right one. Subject to CAMS approval, the FG will debut at Bathurst with the new engine package as part of our development of the Ute over the next four rounds, prior to introduction next year.”

The Ford FG is currently with category engine builder Cragsted, and the category is hoping to test the Ute at Queensland Raceway on August 26. All of Ford’s drivers will be invited to drive the car.

Carson, supported by the Nine Network’s Go! digital channel, is looking forward to giving the car its series debut.

“I’m looking forward to driving the FG. It’s been a long time coming and our aim is to bring it home in one piece,” he said.

The New South Welshman wrote his car off at Round 3 in Darwin. He competed in a loaned Holden at Townsville and thought it would be a perfect time to try the new model.

“We didn’t see much point building a brand new BF and the category were talking about introducing it at Bathurst anyway, so it seemed the logical way to go.”

The V8 Utes will support the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 on October 6-9.